דברים, פרק כ״ג, פסוק ב׳

Marriage is treated as a sacred union designed primarily for human continuity and the establishment of a family, rather than merely for passing pleasure. To protect the integrity of this institution, individuals who have lost their reproductive capacity due to physical injury are restricted from the central marriage pool of the nation. Permitting inherently barren marriages from the outset could lead to deep frustration, infidelity, and the eventual breakdown of the family unit [שד״ל, אברבנאל, רבנו בחיי, חזקוני, בכור שור]. On a deeper conceptual level, an impaired ability to reproduce represents a disruption in a person's capacity to bring life and abundance into the world, which limits their ability to fully integrate into God's congregation [שפתי כהן].

The restriction focuses on two primary types of damage to the male reproductive system. The first involves crushed or severely damaged testicles that prevent procreation [רש״י, אבן עזרא, רא״ם, רבנו בחיי, ביאור יש״ר, שטיינזלץ]. The second refers to a severed organ or a damaged reproductive duct. In this condition, the physical mechanism required for conception is compromised, preventing pregnancy [רש״י, אבן עזרא, בכור שור, רא״ם]. A broader approach suggests that these categories are not strictly limited to specific organs, but rather encompass any severe injury, crushing, or severing that occurs anywhere within the reproductive system [הכתב והקבלה, רלב״ג, מלבי״ם, תורה תמימה].

Being excluded from God's congregation does not mean the individual is stripped of his Jewish identity or banished from the people. The restriction is highly specific: it is solely a prohibition against marrying an Israelite woman [רש״י, אבן עזרא, רלב״ג, מלבי״ם]. His standing is affected only regarding the establishment of a rooted Israelite family, while his general membership within the community remains entirely intact [ברכת אשר על התורה]. Furthermore, he is not barred from married life entirely. He is permitted to marry a convert or a freed maidservant, as they do not fall under the specific biblical definition of God's congregation [רבנו בחיי, תורה תמימה, שפתי כהן, רש״ר הירש].

A vital distinction is made regarding the source of the injury. The prohibition applies exclusively when the damage is inflicted by human hands. If a man is born with a reproductive defect or loses his capacity due to illness or natural causes, he is completely permitted to marry an Israelite woman [תורה תמימה, ביאור יש״ר, רש״ר הירש, שפתי חכמים]. This legal boundary reflects a strong opposition to the practice of human castration, which was common among other ancient nations for reasons of convenience or immorality. It serves to protect the sanctity of the physical body and its natural purpose [שד״ל, רש״ר הירש]. Finally, if an injury is medically treatable, the restriction remains in place only while the condition persists; once the man is healed, he is fully permitted to marry into the congregation [צפנת פענח].